#3 Choose Your Weapon

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A bit of background


Find out the basics of text editors

Text editors come in all many different forms, but at their hearts they all do the same thing - allow you to edit files that are composed of straight forward, everyday text. HTML & CSS files are like this, their contents are simply plain text.

Your computer may already have a text editor on it. If you're using a Windows based computer then you'll likely have Notepad (Programs > Accessories > Notepad). If you're using an Apple computer then you'll have VIM already installed (Applications > Utilities > Terminal and then type in VIM and press return). Finally, if you're running Linux (bonus points if you are) then you'll certainly have one of either VI/VIM, emacs, Kate or gedit. 
 
Not all text editors are created equally and whilst VIM is a truly splendid text editor, it has a steep learning curve. Unless you can already use it, then we'd recommend something else for now. You can always come back to VIM later on.
 
If you're running windows then Notepad has the opposite problem to VIM - it's too simple. You'll be fighting with it all the way to use it to do serious webcraft work.

Task Discussion


  • Ryan Guy said:

    I am also going with the Notepad++ program.  It has been a few years since I did any coding, but I will go with what is familiar

    on Nov. 16, 2013, 10:04 p.m.

  • keithrambo said:

    Notepadd ++ for me

    on Oct. 30, 2013, 12:27 p.m.

  • Prabhakar said:

    I have just downloaded Notepad++. Yes, I believe my all peers.

    on Oct. 26, 2013, 8:37 a.m.

  • Saša said:

    I am using Notepad, but I'm gonna try Sublime Text soon.

    Let you know how it went.

    See you

    on Oct. 23, 2013, 5:31 p.m.

  • Jackson Isaac said:

    Using VIM as my primary ediiting tool on Linux as well as Mac OS X :)

    on Oct. 23, 2013, 9:43 a.m.

  • Rahimi said:

    Hi, guys

    again for another challenge with great peers... I am using CoffeeCup for website editing and writing, it is very comfortable for writing such coding language; here you can see what i have done with my new challenge and first step; my blog

    http://challengesdays.wordpress.com/2013/10/21/challenge-3-choose-your-weapon/

    on Oct. 21, 2013, 2:42 a.m.

  • Mapatk said:

    For these tasks, I'm going to be using the freeware IDE, Komodo Edit.  I am currently on a Windows machine, although I would love to go to Ubuntu full time once Steam makes the full conversion to Linux. I've used a host of other editors before, so I'm choosing Komodo Edit for this venture.

    mapatk.wordpress.com

    on Oct. 20, 2013, 11:40 p.m.

  • Bugman said:

    I'm using TextEdit on my MacBook! It's great and simple but can do lots with it!

     

    http://bugmanjourney.wordpress.com

    on Sept. 29, 2013, 2:27 p.m.

  • wordalive said:

    i'm using gedit as i'm on aUbuntu  and its magnificent :P

    on Sept. 21, 2013, 7:01 p.m.

  • Makhabane said:

    I will use notepad since im a beginner. I believe its good for anyone "leaning" how to write code. Powerful text editor with advanced features are good for those who know what they're doing.

    And do not forget to visit my blog : Here :-) 

    on Sept. 21, 2013, 7:35 a.m.

  • dzpwns said:

    I think I'm going to stick with Notepad++. It's work for me so far and I don't think it'll stop now :)

    on Sept. 13, 2013, 1:46 a.m.

  • NerdEgURL said:

    I'm going to try using Bluefish. 

    on Sept. 8, 2013, 12:55 p.m.

  • 0be1 said:

    In a windows environment, it is hands down Notepad++ for me. Not only is it a great text editor for every day use, but you can switch how the text is desplayed based upon that languages use (i.e. color generated text for PHP, javascript, etc.) There are also additional plugins that can also be added to the program if need be. I also like supporting the open source community in their projects, and most times (for me anyway) the open source alternative is just as good, if not better tham paid applications.

    When it comes to Linux, I am a GUI kind of guy and go with GEDIT. I can use Vim if in a pinch, but can probably get around a little easier using emacs if I have to. Sure, I started out in the I.T, field in DOS and a non-gui based environemt, but why stay there now if I do not have to. I know a lot more can be done from a command line, and some people love to stuff their melons with tons of command line commands to be an uber-geek, but in the end, this old folgie wants simplicity and clean :o)

    on Aug. 21, 2013, 12:04 p.m.

  • ays said:

    I really dont do anything before I read ericaeducator's comments. And yes I guess Notepad++ has many fans so I'm counting on that.

     

    Just downloaded the frogy-looking installer.

    on July 29, 2013, 5:30 p.m.

  • wikiglobalgov said:

    Well I don't like the sound of a steep learning curve with VIM as I am totally new to all this, however, seeing as I use mac I'm going to give it a go and see how I get on...

    Sink or swim time.

    on July 29, 2013, 8:23 a.m.

  • ericaeducator said:

    Based on the comments listed below, I've decided to go with Notepad++ for the simple fact that I'm currently on my HP laptop, which is obviously Windows, and I don't feel like switching over to my Mac to complete this challenge :)  Notepad++ is new to me regardless, so I'm looking forward to learning something new! 

    ericaeducator.tumblr.com yes

    on July 27, 2013, 1:42 a.m.

    Spundun said:

    I've heard nice things about Notepad++. You are in good hands :)

    on July 28, 2013, 11:47 a.m. in reply to ericaeducator

  • S.Norman said:

    Since I've never done this, I'm going with Notepad++.  Seems to be a popular choice.  After I play with it for awhile and know what I'm doing, I'll try some others and give my feedback.

    on July 18, 2013, 5:03 p.m.

  • whippet said:

    There seem to be a great many text editors out there. I'm using Windows 8 so I'm going to try out the editors mentioned in About.com's article on The 10 Best Free Web Editors for Windows. Some of them are not relevant to me. For example I do not know Java so I'll strike Java editors off the list but there is plenty there for HTML and other web languages. I'm also going to try Notepad++ so thanks to all those who suggested this editor.

    on July 18, 2013, 8:13 a.m.

  • Gary L Russell said:

    I always recommend to new coders to use a simple editor like Notepad++ its what I use on a daily with C code and now with web programming well except .net but Notepadd++ has always been a solid light weight way to code.

    on July 15, 2013, 1:38 p.m.